Klarinet Archive - Posting 000279.txt from 1997/09

From: Gary Hopkins <ghopkins@-----.net>
Subj: plastic vs wood
Date: Sat, 6 Sep 1997 20:12:55 -0400

All this talk about plastic vs wood in clarinet and oboe reminds me of an
album I heard several years ago. A professional clarinettist (also a college
professor of clarinet) recorded several pieces for clarinet. Half were done
on a Selmer Series 9 or 9* clarinet and the other half were done on a
resonite Bundy clarinet. On the recording there was no difference in sound
as far as I or my clarinet teacher could tell. In years past I've been
involved in sound comparisons between Selmer, Leblanc and Buffet clarinets
for local band directors. I've played the same pieces, usually All-State
tryout material, on each of the instruments trying to help the directors
know which instruments to recommend to their students. Seldom are they able
to actually tell any difference in sound. I think I can tell, but I may be
prejudiced toward Buffet.

Have any of you done the same thing? Can you tell the difference?